Irish Stew

A great make ahead meal, freeze the extra portions for midweek meals.

Ingredients:

• 1.2 kg middle neck of mutton
•  1.2 kg potatoes
• 120 g shallots or very small onions
• 1 large onion
• 1-pint water
• plenty of salt and chopped parsley
• tomato sauce (optional)

Method:

Trim meat and cut into pieces, reject excess fat.

Peel and slice potatoes and onions.

Line a casserole with sliced potatoes, then cover with a layer of meat (dusted with pepper and salt), a sprinkling of chopped parsley, and sliced onions.

Fill up the dish with further layers of meat and potatoes etc., finishing with a layer of potatoes, nearly overlapping.

Boil water and add carefully to casserole

For additional flavouring add two tablespoons tomato sauce to the boiling water.

Cover and place in moderate oven until contents begin to simmer.

Lower heat, cook gently about 1.5 hours. Sprinkle with chopped parsley when serving.

Sprinkle with chopped parsley when serving.